🙏 Understanding Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ: The Prayer of Praise in Islam

Comprehensive Definition

Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ (صلاة التسبيح‎), known as the “Prayer of Praise,” is a unique and meritorious form of Islamic prayer aimed at seeking forgiveness and expressing devotion to Allah (God). Built upon a tradition ascribed to Ibn ʿAbbās, it involves four rakʿahs (units of prayer) in which specific phrases of glorification (tasbīḥ) are recited a total of seventy-five times per rakʿah.

Etymology

The term Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ combines two Arabic words:

• Ṣalāt (صلاة): Refers to the regular Islamic prayers prescribed as a pillar of faith.
• Tasbīḥ (تسبيح‎): Refers to glorification and praise of God, derived from the Arabic root “s-b-b,” which means to “magnify” or “glorify.”

Background and Significance

Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition. According to a hadith narrated by Ibn ʿAbbās, the Prophet Muhammad recommended this prayer to his uncle ʿAbbās, emphasizing its virtue in seeking God’s forgiveness for all kinds of sins. The prayer is structured to include ritual repetitions of phrases such as “Subḥāna ʾllāh” (Holiness to God), “Alḥamdu li-ʾllāh” (Praise be to God), “Lā ilāha illā-ʿllāh” (There is no deity but God), and “Allāhu Akbar” (God is most great).

Structure of Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ

1. Starting: Three Units (rakʿah):
   • Opening: Recite the Fātiḥatu ʾl-Kitāb (the Introductory chapter of the Qurʾān, known as Al-Fātiḥa).
   • Followed by: Any other Sūrah (chapter) from the Qurʾān.
2. Tasbīḥ Recitations:
   • After reciting the chosen Sūrah, say:
     • Subḥāna ʾllāh (Holiness to God – Glory!)
     • Alḥamdu li-ʾllāh (Praise be to God)
     • Lā ilāha illā-ʿllāh (There is no deity but God)
     • Allāhu Akbar (God is most great)
     • Recite this 15 times
3. Additional Steps:
   • In Rukūʿ (bowing), after standing up, in Sūjud (prostration), recite the Tasbīḥ 10 times.
   • Posture changes while sitting between prostrations, include 10 more repetitions of Tasbīḥ.

Total across all four rakʿahs: 300 Tasbīḥ recitations.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

Similarities

• Islamic prayers often involve recitation, praise, and physical movements.
• The use of tasbīḥ as a form of glorifying God is found universally in other daily prayers such as the canonical Ṣalāt.

Differences

• Variations often lie in practice: frequency (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or once lifetime) and individual mindfulness.
• منةRegional traditions meld in how this form of prayer gets adopted alongside personal or family routines.

Synonyms and Related Terms

• Ṣalāt (صلاة): General term for obligatory Islamic prayers.
• Zikr/Dhikr (ذِكْر): Remembrance of God, often involving devotional repetitions.
• Nafl (نافل): Optional or voluntary prayers outside of compulsory ones.

Exciting Facts

• Flexibility: Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ is encouraged with remarkable flexibility allowing one to perform it as frequently or infrequently as feasible.
• Forgiveness: This prayer underscores Islamic tenet of God’s forgiveness; stressing a complete encapsulating sphere covering all sins – past, present, hidden, or made-known.

Quotations

“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” - Qur’an 13:28

“When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close: I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when they call on Me.” - Qur’an 2:186

Suggested Literature

• “Revival of the Religious Sciences” by Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali: Comprehensive breakdown of Islamic spirituality and practice.
• “The Alchemy of Happiness” by Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali: Discusses the inner spiritual journey.
• “Riyad-us-Saliheen” by Imam Nawawi: Collection of aḥādīth catering to beauty in simplicity of Islamic living.

References

• Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Book iv. Chapter XLI – Investigation of Ihadeeth collections confirming ancient narrative.
• Translations and Commentaries by Yusuf Ali – Deeper exploration of scriptural guidance.

Quizzes

May this deep dive into Ṣalātu ʾt-Tasbīḥ serve as spiritual nourishment, invoking a greater connection between your acts of devotion and the Divine.

Best, Mariam ibn Hanbal

Published on October 3, 2023

“Prayers weave us deeply into the fabric of our spiritual identity.”